The William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professorship Program
Historical Overview
In
1987,
Drs.
William
and
Camille
Cosby gave Spelman College a $20 million gift to construct
a 69,000 square foot facility that would provide an
intellectual
nucleus for faculty in the humanities and women's studies.
Dedicated in 1996 as The Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby Academic
Center, this facility houses the Spelman College
Museum
of Fine Art and a state-of-the-art College Archives.
This gift, the largest from an African American to a historically
Black
college,
also established the William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professorship
Program. Endowed at $4 million, this program supports professorships
in the fine arts, humanities and the social sciences. It
is a multidisciplinary initiative designed
to
enhance the intellectual, cultural and creative life of Spelman
College and its surrounding community.
Through education, research, public performance, youth-based
programs,
and
international linkages, the Endowed Professorship Program
positions
Spelman as a repository for the rich artistic expressions
of
the African Diaspora and other cultures of the world. Its
goal,
to enlarge and revitalize the unique interrelationship of
scholarship, education, culture and service, is firmly rooted
in the distinctive missions of Spelman College.
The ultimate goal of the program is to elevate the fine
arts
and
humanities
at
Spelman
College
to
a high
level
of
recognition
that
is
consistent
with
the
College's
historic
legacy,
and
the
vision
and
life
work
of
Drs.
William
and
Camille
Cosby.
Internationally
acclaimed
entertainer
and
philanthropist
Dr.
William
H.
Cosby
and
his
wife,
Dr.
Camille
Olivia
Hanks
Cosby,
have
enjoyed
many
ties
with
Spelman
College
over
the
years.
Dr.
William
Cosby
received
an
honorary
degree
from
Spelman
College
in
1986,
Dr.
Camille
Cosby
received
an
honorary
degree
from
the
College
as
well
in
1989,
and two
of
the
Cosby
daughters attended the College.
Qualifications for Endowed Professorship Program
To qualify for the William and Camille Olivia Hanks Cosby
Endowed Professorship, candidates are expected to have achieved
the pinnacle of success in their careers. They must also
utilize their experience to help expand intra- and inter-disciplinary
curricular offerings, design a course rooted in their research
fields, and facilitate joint initiatives with similarly focused
colleges, universities, educational organizations and cultural
institutions.
Each Cosby Endowed Professor brings a unique background to Spelman that will help accomplish these objectives. Read more about Spelman College's Past and Present Endowed Professors.
